EquiBirth

Improving Choice, Consent & Respect in Maternity Care

What is EquiBirth

EquiBirth is a haPPIE™ project focused on improving maternity care experiences for women and birthing people from racial and ethnic minority communities across the UK.

This project aims to strengthen how choice, informed consent, and respectful care are experienced in real-world maternity services. It supports clearer, more meaningful conversations between women and healthcare professionals so people feel heard, informed, and able to make decisions about their care.

EquiBirth is designed with and for underrepresented communities, shaped by what women say they need to feel safe, respected, and in control of their maternity journey.

Gather lived experiences from women and birthing people

Identify gaps in choice, consent, and respectful care

Co-create practical, real-world recommendations

Ensure voices from diverse communities are heard and acted upon

Why This Project Matters

When communication is unclear, informed consent becomes difficult.

In maternity care, individuals are sometimes offered monitoring or interventions without fully understanding:

  • What the option is

  • What it may lead to

  • What alternatives are available

EquiBirth exists to change this by creating:

  • Clear, accessible information people can actually use

  • Respectful conversations about risk without pressure or fear-based language

  • Greater trust for women from communities who may already feel unheard

Important Information

All participants will receive a Patient Information Sheet outlining the study

A Consent Form will be provided prior to participation

Participation is voluntary and confidential

You may withdraw at any time

You will be reimbursed for your time at £25 voucher

These documents will be shared as attachments after you express interest.

How People Can Get Involved

Participants can support the project in ways that feel comfortable:

  • Taking part in online or in-person focus groups

  • Joining 1:1 interviews to share lived experiences

  • Reviewing resources, tools, or service information

  • Contributing to co-design discussions and recommendations

  • Helping shape what “good consent” looks like in real life

Are you eligible?

Does any of this describe you:

  • Black (e.g. British, African, Caribbean, or other heritage)

  • Asian (e.g. Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, or other heritage)

  • Mixed race (e.g. Asian and White or other mixed heritage)

  • Other minority communities (e.g. Arab, Kurdish, or similar)

AND

Are accessing or have accessed UK (NHS) maternity services

You do not need to speak or read English telephone interpreters can be provided.

Do you tick all of these?

  • Must be 18+

  • Must have experience with UK maternity services (recent or past)

  • Willing to share experiences in a safe, respectful environment

  • Able to provide informed consent

Your contributions will help develop

Clear, public-friendly resources for women and families

Practical tools and learning content for healthcare professionals

Insights to support improvements in maternity policy and services

This is research designed to lead to real change, not sit on a shelf.

Support & Care

We prioritise participant wellbeing throughout:

Safe, respectful spaces for sharing experiences

Wellbeing check-ins during participation

Access to additional support if discussions feel difficult

We would love to hear from you if you live in Nottingham and can attend one of our face to face work shops or focus groups. Transport funds available.